South Africa men's cricket team

Updated: 14 November 2026

Short answer: South Africa, run by Cricket South Africa, played their first Test in 1889, were banned from international cricket during apartheid, and returned with an ODI against India at Eden Gardens in November 1991. Their senior ICC titles are the 1998 ICC KnockOut (now the Champions Trophy) and the 2023–25 World Test Championship. They are not on India's remaining 2026-27 home schedule.

Short history

South Africa played their first Test against England in March 1889 and helped found the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909. Opposition to apartheid led to an international ban from 1970. When it was lifted, their first official ODI was against India at Eden Gardens on 10 November 1991, and their first series after readmission was in India.

Their first ICC title was the 1998 ICC KnockOut, the event now called the Champions Trophy. In June 2025 they won the World Test Championship, beating Australia at Lord's.

South Africa in India (our general view)

South African attacks are traditionally built on pace and bounce, which Indian pitches tend to blunt. Their recent sides have increasingly picked specialist spinners for Asian tours. In white-ball games in India, their power-hitting middle order has often been the difference.

Fantasy angle (our general view)

In India, South Africa's fast bowlers are most dangerous with the new ball and on the rare pitches with live grass; their batters who play spin well carry more value than usual. See choosing bowlers: pace vs spin.